When I was in college at the University of Maine (Augusta) years ago, one of our illustrious professors, Dave Dempsey (who went on to teach at William Patterson College), used to recommend a drummer's book to any student on any instrument when they had problems wrapping their heads around the syncopated rhythms often found in Jazz tunes.
That book was a book I'd studied a bunch as a drummer - it's one of the all-time, must-have, BIBLE books of drumming. It's "Progressive Steps to Syncopation" by Ted Reed. Being a book purely devoted to getting the student used to playing rhythms that fall elsewhere than the downbeat, it can be adapted to ANY instrument. Being as simple as it is, you can also use it to create exercises of your own (for counterpoint/coordination, etc.).
I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Steps-Syncopation-Modern-Drummer/dp/0882847953

Thanks! Adding to my list.

Luc.!

Isn't that a classic book. I think I've bought 3 copies, one for each decade of drum teach time.

Lesson 4 is awesome for doing Bob C type independence stuff or making up your own things as you suggest.

Hey, maybe post some vids with what you've been able to practice.

Luv

Good recommendation Luc. I've been a drummer for 42 years, and this book was a big part of my foundation. Definitely helps with Stick and any other instrument.

Kris

When I can figure out how to get good video, perhaps I will. (Around that time, hopefully I'll have my first song post as well...)

Yo..!

While we are on the topic of good books for the rhythmically challenged, I would like to suggest "Rhythmic Training" by Robert Starer. My bass teacher, Jon Cohen, suggested this book, and it has become one of my bibles. The book starts out with whole and half notes, but I will stress that it is not for the faint of heart! The exercises are all rhythmic etudes that rarely repeat. I've often found myself developing ostinatos and patterns from 2 or 4 bar segments of these etudes. It even ends with poly-rhythms over poly-rhythms (something I have yet to even try to conquer).

Additionally, Jon recommended a book called "Time Functioning Patterns" by Gary Chaffee. This book, though written for drummers, is another fantastic introduction to all sorts of rhythmic variation. This book is definitely written for drummers (and potentially other rhythm section players) in mind. I am particularly fond of the "Fat Back" exercises that break up Bass and Snare figures into any and all potential patterns.

Best,
~Nick "Klaus" G.

http://www.amazon.com/Rhythmic-Training-Robert-Starer/dp/0769293751

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Functioning-Patterns-Gary-Chaffee/dp/0769234771

Ooh, the Chaffee book is a killer. That's one I bought years ago and never had the time to fully delve into, but what I DID try to do was a challenge. Never would have thought of applying it to Stick though - neat idea! Thanks for putting the thought out there!

By your recommendation, I bought Ted Reed's book. I've barely had time to get into it, but I managed to play through the first 4 lessons and it seems like they're good, useful exercises for interdependence. And on the Stick you can do so many variations on each exercise, like alternating notes, or for example on lesson 4 I was playing the quarters on one note and the eighths on a different note. And of course, all lessons should be done symmetrically (bottom notes with the left hand, then bottom notes with the right hand).

And of course there's a lot of room for practicing with fingering variations; just 1-2-1-2 with the quarter notes, or 1-2-1-3, 1-2-3-2, 1-2-3-4 on the bass side, etc.

Excellent source for rhythmic exercises. Thanks for the recommendation.

Josh Goldberg (PunkJackal) mentioned the Progressive Steps... book in one of his videos, but he also mentioned Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone in a different video. The coincidental title has been noted.

I have had both books bookmarked (hehe) for some time; I have added the other books mentioned in this thread to that list. Thanks folks.